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Post by shyamwestwind on Apr 2, 2007 21:28:41 GMT
Hi everyone.
I dont know whether this subject has been discussed in our forum before,and I wish someone would enlighten us on the legalities of singing cover versions at gigs?
Years ago, I got a legal notice from the Performers'Rights Association here warning me that I was not permitted to sing any cover versions of songs at a dance that my band was playing for. The notice was received by me nearly a fortnight after the event, but it did get me worried like hell. No action was taken , nor any more notices received, but I really want to know whether it is legal to sing other singers' songs at gigs.
I'm sure all of us sing cover versions at gigs and only rarely do we do our own compositions.
All the Midis we have are of popular cover versions of songs and we use them to sing those songs. ARE WE LEGALor do we require any permission from the Copyrights people whenever we go for a gig?
I also heard that if we change the lyrics or the tune even a wee wee bit, then we are legally safe.
May we know where we stand??
With warm regards
Shyam
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Post by ironbaden on Apr 5, 2007 15:25:38 GMT
You Probably recieved this letter because of the Venue. In Canada Every Venue that includes the playing of music ( other than the radio ) is required to pay a Yearly Fee. This includes Restaurantes... The word I got on this is its a feature of the liquor license the Venue is required to have. So in general yes you are allowed to play cover tunes..... Depending on where your scheduled to play... at least in Canada anyway.  |
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levi2
Full Member
Posts: 667
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Post by levi2 on Apr 5, 2007 16:02:34 GMT
yupp same in uk all clubs and pubs need a entertainers licence for acts etc etc
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Post by rogerb on Apr 5, 2007 18:33:32 GMT
At some venues in the U.K. I (as band leader) had to fill in a Performing Rights Form, provided by the venue, of every song performed at that gig. This has not happened to me for some ten years so I'm not sure whether it's still enforced.
Best regards,
Roger
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Post by shyamwestwind on Apr 5, 2007 19:19:48 GMT
My partner and I perform at a few restaurants here, but I'm sure they dont have any performing rights licences and though its not an issue now, it could be in the near future, and it would be interesting and useful to know from our friends how to stay legal.
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Post by ironbaden on Apr 5, 2007 19:37:50 GMT
At some venues in the U.K. I (as band leader) had to fill in a Performing Rights Form, provided by the venue, of every song performed at that gig. This has not happened to me for some ten years so I'm not sure whether it's still enforced. Best regards, Roger My understanding is that this is supposed to be the way its done officially... especially in soft seaters like 500 seat venues and such... |
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Post by shezza on Apr 5, 2007 21:54:22 GMT
About 10 years ago I too had to fill in forms listing all the songs that we performed at gigs,I think all that has been changed now,
according to my agent venues have to pay a set amount per annum.
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Post by rossi on Apr 23, 2007 10:51:32 GMT
In the dark ages, (my age you see),I ended up being the one to fill in the Performing Rights Papers. After a while I got fed up of logging all our songs. (This was when we were doing covers). At one point my fave group was Status Quo, so I used to put down all their numbers. (We never actually did any of them). I thought that if any one was going to recieve a cut of the "Money Pot", it might as well be someone I liked.
From that scenario I got my nickname which unfortunately has stuck to this day...(Francis Rossi being the lead man in Quo!)..."Hey Rossi, fill this in!!!"
Don't think you have to do it any more, in fact some years back when they were overhauling the system, I think they,(PRS), decided to give 80 percent or so directly to Lennon and McCartney, such was the enormity of people doing their works.
Cheers,
Rossi
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Post by dingadong04 on Apr 25, 2007 11:07:46 GMT
if ya heard some of the singers round my way It should be illegal  |
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Post by Steptoe on Apr 25, 2007 12:15:30 GMT
if ya heard some of the singers round my way It should be illegal LMAO, funniest comment I've seen here in ages!!! ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by shyamwestwind on Apr 28, 2007 21:10:35 GMT
Hi Steptoe, whats LMAO ? Couldnt figure that out !!
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Post by pmalcolm on Apr 28, 2007 23:30:35 GMT
Hi Steptoe, whats LMAO ? Couldnt figure that out !! LMAO = Laughing My A ss Off! |
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Post by Emerald Midi on Apr 29, 2007 8:15:38 GMT
You guys are very imaginative |
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Post by ezduzit411 on Apr 29, 2007 23:54:43 GMT
well in canada at a certain nightclub in the east some one from a music and composers association stuck their sticker on the window and the club owner worried over this.i told him "don't worry about it,it's just as effective as that tag on the end of your mattress.
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